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WMHS seniors participate in Credit for Life Financial Fair
Wakefield Memorial High School seniors participate in the recent Credit for Life Financial Fair coordinated by The Savings Bank
More than 150 Wakefield Memorial High School seniors learned how to budget and manage money at the recent Credit for Life Financial Literacy Fair coordinated by The Savings Bank and partially funded by a grant from the State Treasurer’s Financial Education Innovation Fund.
During the fair, the students were asked to select an occupation and provided with a salary and credit score. Working within those parameters, the students met with advisors to make choices regarding housing, transportation, and other important lifestyle decisions. Representatives from the local business community, local officials, volunteers and school staff assisted the students in making their selections and decisions, based on several factors including their monthly salary, budget and the cost of goods and services.
The grant was awarded through the efforts of Ally Houghton, Marketing Coordinator
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at The Savings Bank and Jackie Simmonds, Business Teacher at Wakefield High School.
“It was a great interactive event that allowed WMHS seniors the chance to receive financial skills in preparation for life beyond graduation,” Houghton said. “The students were very receptive to the assistance they received from the volunteers who shared their expertise. We appreciate the time and talent of all the professionals who helped us at the Credit for Life Fair.”
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“Watching our students participate in this real life ‘role play’ that focuses on financial literacy and problem solving is terrific,” Doug Lyons, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, continued. “This fair allows students to apply what they are learning in Ms. Simmonds personal finance classes at WMHS. Students assume and play roles in financial scenarios that force them to make balanced decisions based on credit history, credit scores and life necessities like housing and car payments. As teachers and parents, we realize in seconds the power of real life connections in teaching and learning. The Credit for Life Fair is one of our best learning opportunities for our students.”
“I am so pleased that WMHS, in cooperation with The Savings Bank, was able to provide the Credit for Life Fair as a learning opportunity to our senior class,” Richard Metropolis, Principal Wakefield Memorial High School added. “The students engaged in real-life activities that will, no doubt, resonate with them for years to come. I have heard from many students that participated, and everyone that I spoke with shared how they felt so much more informed about their financial future as a result of this one experience. It was a great morning and I hope it can become a tradition.”
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Representatives from the local business community, local officials and volunteers joined Wakefield Memorial High School staff at the first annual Credit for Life Fair for WMHS seniors. The volunteers assisted the seniors in making good financial decisions during the interactive financial literacy fair coordinated by The Savings Bank and partially funded through a grant from the State Treasurer’s Financial Education Innovation Fund.
Several local officials volunteered at the first annual Credit for Life Fair at Wakefield Memorial High School. Among those who helped the students make good financial choices during the interactive fair were (from left to right) Town Administrator Steve Maio, Board of Selectmen Chair Paul DiNocco, Selectman Tony Longo, and State Representative Donald Wong.
Wakefield Town Administrator Steve Maio (left), was among the volunteers at the Credit for Life Fair at Wakefield Memorial High School.
Wakefield Memorial High School seniors Dylan Frank (left) and Julia Brown (right) gathered information about travel options based on their finances from Rotarian Suzanne Bowering and State Representative Donald Wong during the first annual Credit for Life Fair at the high school.
Wakefield Rotarian Barbara Worley (seated) helped Wakefield Memorial High School seniors Virginia Bry and Brianna Randazza pay their utility bills during the Credit for Life Fair at the school. During the fair, the students selected an occupation and were given a salary and credit score. Using this information, the students made choices regarding housing, transportation, and other important lifestyle decisions while learning to budget and manage their money.
Wakefield Memorial High School senior Alec Passacantilli (left), received advice about saving and investing for the future from Matt Barton, Manager of the Andover Office of The Savings Bank, during the recent Credit for Life Fair.
Julia Corelle (left) and Kaitlyn Murphy (center) received financial counseling from Laura Lucas of CONNECT during the recent Credit for Life Financial Literacy Fair coordinated by The Savings Bank and partially funded by a grant from the State Treasurer’s Financial Education Innovation Fund.
Mario Portillo (left), Manager of the Main Office, and Geri Rowe, (right) Manager of the Greenwood Office, both of The Savings Bank, gave financial advice to Wakefield Memorial High School senior Helen Salvatore during the recent Credit for Life Fair at the school. The interactive fair helped to provide financial skills to the seniors in preparation for life beyond graduation.
